The Sickly Beautiful Prime Minister's Cannon Fodder Scum Wife - Chapter 3

As dusk fell, Li Huaiyin slowly woke, her body damp with a thin layer of sweat that made her feel terribly uncomfortable.

Zhu Yue, who had been keeping watch by her side, quickly stood when she saw her stir.
“Madam, your room has been tidied up. Allow me to help you over.”

“Don’t call me that.”

Seeing Zhu Yue’s hesitation, Li Huaiyin softened her tone.
“I’m not blaming you.”

Zhu Yue quickly nodded. “I understand.”

Li Huaiyin had long grown weary of lying in Xie Qingqi’s quarters. Once she got out of bed, she moved into the inner chamber. A glance around showed everything neatly in place.

Behind the folding screen sat a wooden tub, steam seeping out from beneath its lid, carrying with it the pleasant fragrance of medicinal herbs.

Remembering Xie Qingqi’s instructions, Zhu Yue opened the wardrobe as she explained,
“Herbs to help your wounds heal have been added in. The Young Master also told the kitchen that once you finish bathing, supper will be delivered.”

With that, she set a fresh change of clothes beside the tub and cautiously asked,
“Would you like me to assist you with your bath and changing?”

“No need. Go on with your work.”

Zhu Yue was about to turn and leave, yet her steps faltered. She lingered, lips parting and closing, until Li Huaiyin said calmly,
“If you have something to say, speak plainly.”

Zhu Yue steadied herself, squeezed her eyes shut, and blurted out,
“I have served the Young Master since childhood. The Young Master… has never been involved with other women outside.”

Li Huaiyin acted as though she hadn’t heard. Zhu Yue trembled, worried that she had said too much and would earn the young madam’s displeasure.

After a few moments, Li Huaiyin finally answered,
“I understand.”
Her tone gave nothing away—neither joy nor anger.

Zhu Yue gave a hasty bow and went out. Only when she stepped outside did she breathe out in relief. If she spoke too lightly, Madam would not believe her and remain prejudiced against the Young Master. But if she said too much, the truth of the Young Master’s disguise might come to light, bringing ruin upon the marquis’s household. She truly was caught between a rock and a hard place.

After the servants left, Li Huaiyin barred the door and checked each window before finally disrobing.

Her body was covered in red welts and bruises, a sight that made one’s heart clench. She ignored them and stepped straight into the tub. The herb-infused water seeped into her wounds, stinging like her flesh was being torn apart. She closed her eyes, enduring in silence.

Of course she knew Xie Qingqi would never touch another woman but the hatred between them had nothing to do with love or jealousy.

What mattered now was keeping Xie Qingqi placated. Once Xiao Mingzhu came to rescue her, she would find a way to sit for the imperial examinations. Only by entering court could she redress the wrongs done to the Li family.

*******

“You actually went and called a doctor from outside the residence?”
Princess Xiao Wanhua slammed the table, her voice a low, furious growl. “Do you realize what your identity is…?”

Xie Qingqi had acted in panic earlier, her borrowed memories was still incomplete. Only now did she recall everything clearly. She hurried to explain.
“Mother, please don’t be angry. I was too anxious in the moment and forgot… Aunt Hua is still in the residence.”
Her guilty glance flickered toward Hua Shi’an, who stood beside Xiao Wanhua.

“Since the day you were born, have I ever left this residence?” Hua Shi’an asked, with displeasure in her tone, followed by a pointed sigh.

Xiao Wanhua patted her arm helplessly. “You know how Chessie is—reckless, always reckless.”
Then her gaze sharpened on Xie Qingqi. “But you, Young Master, were careless as well. Have you forgotten your duty?”

Zhu Yue, Xie Qingqi’s personal maid and the only one in the estate besides Xiao Wanhua and Hua Shi’an who knew her secret (that she is a woman)—quickly knelt in fear.
“This servant was wrong!”

“Mother, please don’t blame Zhu Yue,” Xie Qingqi interjected at once. “You know she never dares disobey me. And this time, the physician was only brought for Li… for Huaiyin.”

At the mention of her old friend’s daughter, Xiao Wanhua’s composure cracked. “What happened to Yin’er?”
But almost immediately, her face darkened again. “Wasn’t it she who struck you just yesterday? I thought the doctor was for your injuries.”

Xie Qingqi could only recount honestly the original body’s misdeeds, including the reason Zhou Changyu and the others had come yesterday.

When Xiao Wanhua heard it all, her anger flared so hot she rose to strike her.

Xie Qingqi quickly bowed her head in contrition.
“Your child knows how disgracefully I behaved. From this day on, I will correct myself, devote myself to learning, and… cherish my wife.”

“You spent all your days in the company of idlers—I endured it. A month ago, you insisted on marrying Yin’er, begged me to petition your imperial grandmother. I thought you had finally come to your senses. Besides, with your true identity, we couldn’t delay marriage forever. With the Li family in misfortune, I believed marrying Yin’er would give her some protection and, in return, she would help conceal your secret. Two problems solved at once.

Who could have guessed you would behave so shamelessly? One slap is far too lenient.”

No wonder Yin’er had struck her. Thinking of her dear friend’s daughter suffering such humiliation under her own roof, Xiao Wanhua felt a pang of guilt.

Xie Qingqi kept bowing and agreeing, solemnly vowing to cut ties with her former disreputable companions and study in earnest from now on.

Her sincerity seemed real, unlike her past careless promises, and Xiao Wanhua’s anger gradually eased. Yet she still frowned and said,
“You always loathed books, preferring your father’s military drills to memorizing a single line. And now you’re suddenly eager to study?”

Xie Qingqi replied carefully,
“Studying does not have to mean reading only the classics. At my age, I have no plans to sit for the imperial examinations.”
She glanced at her mother, gauging her expression, and cautiously added,
“I wish to study medicine.”

She had braced herself for resistance, but to her surprise, Xiao Wanhua agreed at once.
“As long as you don’t go back to carousing, I care little for books. The title will be yours one day regardless. Medicine is simple enough. Your Aunt Hua spent time learning at the Imperial Infirmary—she can teach you.”

Joy lit Xie Qingqi’s face. She bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Mother. Thank you, Aunt Hua.”

“We’re family, no need for thanks,” Xiao Wanhua said, rising. “Come. Let’s visit Yin’er together. I’ll have your Aunt Hua take her pulse and prescribe properly. I cannot fully trust some doctor from outside.”

The group made their way to Qingfeng Courtyard.

Aunt Li greeted them anxiously, but before she could even finish, Xie Qingqi declared,
“You won’t be serving here anymore.”

No amount of pleading swayed her.

Knowing how domineering Aunt Li had been in the estate, Xiao Wanhua decided swiftly,
“You’ll go live out your days at the country manor.”

******

When they entered the room, no servant announced them. Xie Qingqi’s eyes were immediately drawn to Li Huaiyin seated by the window, reading with full concentration.

The fading light wrapped her in a soft veil. Her long black hair slid over her wrist as she turned a page, glinting like silk. She looked… impossibly gentle.

“Yin’er, how are you feeling?”

Only then did Li Huaiyin set aside her book, as though just noticing them. She rose and bowed.
“Madam Xiao.”

The formality stung. Xiao Wanhua sighed softly, taking her hand with tender guilt.
“I know everything. Chessie acted disgracefully—you have suffered. When the Marquis returns, I’ll make sure he stands up for you.”

Li Huaiyin gave Xie Qingqi a flat, unreadable glance.

Xie Qingqi could only sigh inwardly. Of course Huaiyin wouldn’t believe her sudden change.

Xiao Wanhua gently seated her again and patted her hand.
“I’ve brought Shi’an to examine you. Her medical skills reassure me—you’ll recover faster.”

Li Huaiyin thanked her and extended her wrist. As her sleeve slid back, bruises showed faintly against her pale skin. Hua Shi’an placed her fingers against the pulse, frowning, then asked for the other wrist. Her expression grew darker still.

“Bring me the prescription you’re taking now.”

Zhu Yue hurried to fetch it. After reading, Hua Shi’an nodded.
“This doctor has skill—the prescription is appropriate.”

Then she turned to Xie Qingqi.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to learn medicine? Start with pulse-taking.”

Xie Qingqi, caught staring at Huaiyin’s thin wrist, jerked when she was addressed.
“Ah—Aunt Hua, I haven’t learned anything yet. I don’t know how.”

“How will you learn if you never try? Feel the pulse first.”

But Xie Qingqi knew all too well how Huaiyin felt about her. Any extra touch would only breed more resentment. She stammered,
“Perhaps… I could try with Zhu Yue first?”

“Zhu Yue hasn’t yet married,” Hua Shi’an reminded her pointedly.

Though they were all women, in Huaiyin’s eyes the situation was far from innocent. If she misunderstood…

Xie Qingqi realized belatedly that with her own scandalous reputation, it would indeed be inappropriate to touch Zhu Yue so casually. But Huaiyin…

Just as she hesitated, a pale, slender arm shifted closer toward her.

Xie Qingqi’s eyes widened, shocked and delighted. She hadn’t expected Huaiyin to consent. For so long she had been desperate for a chance to check her pulse and improve her treatment.

Xiao Wanhua, watching, felt deeply reassured. Nothing would please her more than seeing her daughter show concern for her daughter-in-law. After all, the two would have to spend decades together. Sooner or later, Chessie’s true identity would need to be revealed—every bit of affection Huaiyin gave her was one more safeguard.

Carefully, Xie Qingqi set her fingers on the cool, delicate wrist, drawing a breath as she focused.

The chronic illnesses were obvious enough. The chill symptoms had eased somewhat, but the pulse still revealed heavy worries and restless nights—her condition was deteriorating.

She dared not let a flicker of concern show on her face, only pretending ignorance. She asked for the other wrist as Hua Shi’an had, quietly memorizing every detail.

When the examination ended, Hua Shi’an asked,
“Well? Did you notice anything?”

Xie Qingqi shook her head, feigning innocence.
“I only felt… something beating beneath my fingers.”

Hua Shi’an chuckled. “Finding the pulse point at your first attempt is already good progress.” She added, “I’ll send you some beginner’s texts later.”

“As for Huaiyin’s condition, keep taking these prescriptions for now. I’ll consider what changes to make next.”

“Thank you, Aunt Hua,” Li Huaiyin and Xie Qingqi said in unison. They both glanced at each other, then looked away quickly.

Xiao Wanhua caught it all and smiled.
“Good. You two take care of each other. I must return to the palace for now, but I’ll be back tonight.”

She gave Xie Qingqi a pointed look.

Xie Qingqi instantly promised,
“Mother, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Huaiyin.”

When everyone had left, Xie Qingqi kept her distance, saying softly,
“I didn’t mean to overstep earlier.”

Li Huaiyin had already returned to her usual coldness, offering no reply.

Thinking of her pulse, of how constant worry was worsening her illness, Xie Qingqi probed,
“Are you concerned for General Li’s safety?”

Li Huaiyin lifted her head. Her expression remained serene, untouched by emotion, as though nothing in the world could stir her heart.

Looking into those eyes—still and bottomless as dead water—Xie Qingqi felt a sharp ache in her chest.

In the original story, General Li did not die. After the Empress ascended the throne, the Li family was vindicated, and men were dispatched to find him. Yet by the time he was found, Li Huaiyin was already gone.

She couldn’t reveal the future outright, so she could only say,
“You will see justice done.”

Li Huaiyin blinked in faint surprise before her lips curved into a wry smile.
“Is that another one of your dreams?”

Xie Qingqi didn’t answer. She knew that in only a few months, Xiao Mingzhu would send someone to rescue Li Huaiyin. Together, the two women would quell chaos, cleanse the court, one becoming the Empress who ushered in a golden era, the other the grand chancellor at her side.

The thought left Xie Qingqi strangely hollow. The question slipped out before she could stop it.

“How… how close are you to the Eldest Princess?”

Li Huaiyin paused as she flipped through the pages of the book. A flash of surprise passed through her eyes, and then she returned to her normal expression and said coldly, “It’s just a brief encounter.”

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